Rock Island City Council met June 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1.As part of his Executive Order in Response to Covid-19, #2020-07, section 6, Governor Pritzker announced in part that “During the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation, the provisions of the Open Meetings Act, 5ILCS 120, requiring or relating to in-person attendance by members of a public body are suspended. Specifically, (1) the requirement in 5 ILCS 120/2.01 that ‘members of a public body must be physically present’ is suspended; and (2) the conditions in 5 ILCS 120/7 limiting when remote participation is permitted are suspended. Public bodies are encouraged to postpone consideration of public business where possible.”
On Friday, June 12, 2020 the Governor signed P.A. 100-640 (SB 2135) into law, amending the OMA to expressly authorize public bodies to meet remotely without the otherwise required quorum present at the meeting place during a declared public health disaster such as those related to COVID-19.
The City Council meeting will be held remotely. The meeting can be viewed on Channel 9 for Mediacom customers living in Rock Island or on the City's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/RockIslandIL/live. To participate during the Public Comment portion of the meeting or the Public hearing please join by phone at 1-470-285-4411 and use PIN 908353684#.
2.Call to Order
Mayor Thoms called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. and welcomed everyone.
3.Roll Call
Mayor Thoms asked Interim City Clerk to call the roll.
Present: Mayor Mike Thoms, Alderman Randy Hurt, and Alderman Mark Poulos.
Alderwoman Jenni Swanson, Alderman Dylan Parker, and Alderman Dave Geenen were present via remote participation in accordance with Governor Pritzker's Executive Order.
Absent: Alderman Ivory D. Clark and Alderman James Spurgetis.
Staff: City Manager Randy Tweet, Interim City Clerk Linda Mohr, and other City staff.
4. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Thoms led in the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance.
5. Moment of Silence
Mayor Thoms called for a moment of silence. A moment of silence was observed.
6. Public Comment
Mayor Thoms asked if any residents wished to speak via remote connection. No residents volunteered to speak.
7. Update Rock Island by Mayor Thoms
The Quad City Botanical Center is Open - Members and the general public are welcome to the gardens. Members get in free. Guests are encouraged to buy tickets online for contact-free admission. Drop in on a Thursday afternoon this summer and do hands-on activities with your kids or grandkids to learn about nature. If you have fireflies at home, catch them and bring them for a nighttime release at the gardens on July 5th.
Update your pet's vaccines - Wednesdays between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. the Rock Island County Animal Control is open for curbside vaccinations. Simply pull up and staff will check in your pet, then take them inside to update their vaccines.
Tell on your neighbor awards - Each year, residents of Rock Island are encouraged to "Tell On Your Neighbor" by nominating the yards in their neighborhood they find to be the most appealing or the most improved. The City of Rock Island's Beautification Commission will review all entries, and awards will be presented at the August 24th City Council meeting. Nominations can be made through August 9, 2020. Digital photos of the nominated yards are required. Please do not go on private property. Send the photo and address of the nominated property to the Community & Economic Development Department via email at douglass.kathyrn@rigov.org. For questions please call (309) 732-2905.
8. Minutes of the June 8th, 2020 City Council Meeting.
MOTION:
Alderman Hurt moved to approve the minutes as printed; Alderman Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 voice vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Spurgetis.
9. Proclamation resolving to stand with those who seek to constructively address racial disparity and inequity in all its forms.
Interim City Clerk Linda Mohr read the proclamation. Mayor Thoms read his declaration.
10. Presentation of the Auditor's Financial Report for CY 2019
Finance Director Stephanie Masson discussed the Auditor's Financial Report for calendar year 2019. She said this is the fifth year of audits, which provides good trend analysis. She said Lauterbach & Amen have completed the audit within the required 180 days from the end of the calendar year. She said they have been fortunate the past two years to have more of Council's and the public's time by having study sessions before the meeting to discuss the audit more in- depth. She said there is so much detail that it can take 180 days to compile the information.
Ms. Masson thanked City staff for their record-keeping and timely response to the auditors, their questions, and adherence to internal controls. She said it has been a challenging audit season because things have been done remotely. She gave special thanks to the Accounting Division headed by Linda Barnes for their hard work. She said the audit is not completely done, and likely wouldn't be until the fall once presentations are completed and they have the information needed. She said there are reports to file with various State agencies. She introduced Jamie Wilkey, Partner at Lauterbach & Amen to further discuss the audit process.
Ms. Wilkey introduced herself and said she planned to discuss the December 31, 2019 audit results and other related reports that her firm issued. She thanked all City departments, specifically the Finance Department, for their assistance in a difficult audit environment. Ms. Wilkey said it was a very clean audit process resulting in an Unmodified Opinion, the highest level opinion the City can receive, including a receipt of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the December 31, 2018 audit. She said there were no internal control findings, no new management letter comments, and all prior comments have been fully implemented.
Ms. Wilkey discussed the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the goals of the financial statement audit. She said the first goal was to ensure the financial statement provided by the City were correct, and the second was to assess the internal control environment, or ensuring that the City has been following the procedures put in place. She said there were no red flags to report. She summarized specific sections of the report, as the document as a whole was too large to present.
Ms. Wilkey said the most important document was pages 17-30, or the Management's Discussion and Analysis section. She said this report highlights some of the executive transactions and figures throughout the year. She said pages 219-250, or the statistical section, provides a great deal of ten-year trend information, which is important for all Councils. She presented detail of the general fund and single audit results to Council. She concluded that there are no internal control related issues, no new recommendations or comments, and all prior recommendations have been implemented.
Ms. Masson asked Council if they had additional questions. No questions were asked.
Alderman Poulos and Mayor Thoms commended Staff for their work on the report.
11. Mayor Thoms will close the regular meeting and open a Public Hearing regarding Community Antenna Television Systems and granting a cable franchise to CMN-RUS, Inc. (Metronet) pursuant to Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-42-11).
Mayor Thoms closed the regular meeting and opened the Public Hearing. Kathy Sheller, the Government Affairs Director for Metronet introduced herself and said they were excited to extend their footprint into Rock Island. She said Metronet is a fiber optic company established in 2004, currently in eight states and over 80 communities with a customer base of 156,000. She said they believed there was a need for the service and need for competition in the area, and looked forward to serving the residents of the City.
Mayor Thoms thanked her for the summary and opened up the hearing to the public for those in opposition to the measure. No residents responded. Mayor Thoms asked if any were in favor, and no residents responded.
Mayor Thoms closed the Public Hearing and reopened the regular meeting to entertain a motion.
MOTION:
Alderwoman Swanson moved to grant a cable franchise to Metronet pursuant to the Municipal Code listed; Alderman Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Spurgetis.
12. A Special Ordinance amending two previously amended Special Ordinances granting a Special Use Permit for Igor's Bistro, 3055 38th Street.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance; Alderman Geenen seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Spurgetis.
13. Claimsa.
a. Report from the Human Resources Department regarding payment for a General Liability claim in the amount of $7,548.85 to Midwest Complete Construction.
MOTION:
Alderman Poulos moved to accept the report and authorize payment as recommended; Alderman Hurt seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Spurgetis.
b. Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment in the amount of $256,253.76 to Walter D. Laud Inc. East Moline, IL for services provided from April 2nd through May 22nd, 2020 on Project Numbers 2140, 2142, 2377, 2411, 2434 and Park Paths as part of the Sidewalk and Pavement Patching Program.
c. Report from the Public Works department regarding payment #28 in the amount of $316,366.47 to Civil Constructors Inc. East Moline, IL for services provided January 24th through May 21st, 2020 at the Water Filtration Facility.
MOTION:
Alderman Geenen moved to accept the reports and authorize payment as recommended; Alderman Poulos seconded.
Alderman Parker recused himself from this vote due to the nature of his employment.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 4-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Poulos, Geenen, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Spurgetis.
14. Claims for the week of May 29th through June 4th, 2020 in the amount of $701,432.99 and the week of June 5th through June 11th, 2020 in the amount of $351,784.95. and Payroll for the weeks of June 1st through June 14th, 2020 in the amount of $1,540,871.64.
MOTION:
Alderman Hurt moved to allow the claims and payroll; Alderwoman Swanson seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Spurgetis.
15. ACH payments for the Month of May, 2020 in the amount of $2,014,745.41.
MOTION:
Alderwoman Swanson moved to approve the ACH payments; Alderman Hurt seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Spurgetis.
15. Purchase Card Claims for the Periods of March 27th through April 27th, 2020 in the amount of $41,003.61 and April 28 through May 26, 2020 in the amount of $42,052.08.
MOTION:
Alderman Parker moved to approve the purchase card claims; Alderman Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Spurgetis.
17. Report from the Public Works Department regarding bids for the 2020 Weed Spraying Contract, recommending the two year contract be awarded to JIMAX Landscape, LLC from Peoria, IL in the amount of $44,503.81 ($18,698.84 for year one and $25,804.97 for year two).
MOTION:
Alderman Poulos moved to award the bid as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents; Alderwoman Swanson seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Spurgetis.
18. Report from the Martin Luther King Center recommending extending the current contract with Enterprise Community Partners Inc. for consulting services regarding stakeholders, needs, and opportunities in the City's West Corridor through December 31, 2020.
MOTION:
Alderman Geenen moved to approve the extend the current contract and authorize the City Manager to execute the extension agreement, subject to the total cost, feels, and expenditure caps listed on the original contract; Alderman Parker seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, and Hurt. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Spurgetis.
19. Report from the Finance Department regarding the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and other audit documents for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2019 and ending December 31, 2019.
19. Report from the Finance Department regarding the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and other audit documents for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2019 and ending December 31, 2019.
MOTION:
Alderman Hurt moved to approve the audit documents as recommended; Alderman Poulos seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Geenen, and Hurt. Nay:
None. Absent: Clark and Spurgetis.
20. Report from the Mayor's office regarding the designation of a Mayor Pro Tem.
MOTION:
Alderwoman Swanson moved to nominate Randy Hurt as Mayor Pro Tem for the next year; Alderman Geenen seconded.
Alderman Hurt recused himself from this vote.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 4-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Parker, Poulos, and Geenen. Nay: None.
Absent: Clark and Spurgetis.
Alderman Parker thanked Alderman Poulos for serving as Mayor Pro Tem for the past calendar year, and congratulated Alderman Hurt. Mayor Thoms agreed and said it was a pleasure to work with Alderman Poulos on a number of issues. Alderman Hurt thanked Council for their support and said he appreciated the opportunity to serve in the coming year.
21. Report from the City Clerk's office regarding a request from Noel Reyes Cortes for a street closing of 5th Avenue between 11th and 10th Streets on Saturday, July 11th, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. to have an outdoor birthday party.
MOTION:
Alderwoman Poulos moved to to approve the request as recommended; Alderwoman Swanson seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 4-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Swanson, Poulos, and Geenen. Alderman Parker did not vote due to a lost video connection. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Spurgetis.
22. Other Business
Mayor Thoms said Phase IV of the COVID opening would unofficially take place Friday, June 26th, as the Governor's indicators had been met. He said this would be well-received by the City business community. He said the next step is to understand the rules and disseminate them the best way possible, as new information is sent daily. He said the responsibility is ultimately up to the citizens and business owners to read the guidelines and make the proper decisions. He encouraged citizens to spend locally to support businesses.
Mayor Thoms said the City along with DARI and Dphilms were working on a four to six minute video series focusing on Rock Island resilience. He said the first video did a good job of showing solidarity and creativity even with COVID-19. He said more videos would be forthcoming showcasing restaurants and bars as well as other large and small businesses.
23. Motion to Adjourn
MOTION:
Alderman Poulos moved to adjourn to Monday, July 13, 2020; Alderman Hurt seconded.
VOTE:
Motion passed on a 4-0-2 voice vote. Aye: Swanson, Poulos, Geenen, and Hurt. Alderman Parker did not vote due to a lost video connection. Nay: None. Absent: Clark and Spurgetis.
The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
https://www.rigov.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06222020-577
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